Amritsar: Akal Takht has directed the SGPC to ensure that the sanctity of the Golden Temple should not be disturbed during the commemoration of the Operation Bluestar anniversary.
Giving a reference of five high priests’ meeting on July 18, 2006, Jaspal Singh, personal assistant of Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, has written to the Secretary, SGPC, that keeping in view the Golden Temple’s inviolability, the resolution passed under the signature of then Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh, be implemented in toto, as per the directions of the Akal Takht.
The resolution reads that neither ‘pro’ nor ‘anti’ slogans be raised in the parikrama (circumambulatory path) of the Golden Temple on the occasion. Similarly, media persons should refrain from taking interviews, bytes or questioning any person belonging to any group or party.
Secretary, SGPC, Partap Singh confirmed that the letter was received from the secretariat which had been forwarded to the Golden Temple manager to initiate steps to maintain peace in the Golden Temple complex during the programme.
Meanwhile, Sikh activists, under the banner of the Dal Khalsa, held a march that started from Burj Akali Phoola Singh and culminated at the Golden Temple. A call for Amritsar bandh was also given to mark the occasion.
Bomb hoax at Golden Temple
A hoax call about four bombs having been planted in the Golden Temple set off a high alert in Amritsar, after which police are reported to have arrested someone disguised as a Nihang for playing this prank.
Police commissioner Naunihal Singh said: “A massive search operation yielded no explosive. We have arrested and booked a man about this dummy threat.”
The cops took the threat seriously because there had been three low-intensity blasts around the Golden Temple between May 6 and 11. The call was made from a stolen mobile phone, which the police were able to track down.
Asked about the affiliation of the arrested man, Naunihal said: “It will be premature to draw any conclusion, but we are on the job to find out the motives of the accused. ”